Kids First Toolkit
The West Virginia KIDS COUNT Fund has launched a grassroots advocacy project called the Kids First Communities campaign. Our goal is to secure new state investments in a childcare quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) and, ultimately, secure a brighter future for our children and our state. On this page, you'll find all the tools you need to advocate for high-quality childcare in your community.
Kids First Campaign Issue Brief
This easy-to-follow, 2-page document lays out a compelling case for new investments in a childcare quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Key points include 1) what we want for West Virginia's youngest children, 2) why a high-quality early child development system is important, 3) why we are advocating for a QRIS, 4) what the QRIS will look like, 5) how KIDS COUNT is helping, and 6) what quality looks like. The issue brief also includes great supporting data on the current state of West Virginia's early child development system.
Kids First Campaign Endorsement Agreement 
Would you like to become an official endorser of the Kids First campaign or encourage others to publicly support the effort to improve childcare quality in West Virginia? All you have to do is download this document, make as many copies as you need, and return the completed forms to KIDS COUNT. As we receive the endorsement agreements, we'll add the names to our growing endorsement list.
Kids First Campaign Sign Up Card 
Can you help us grow the Kids First team? Are your families, friends or colleagues interested in joining the cause? We've made it easy for you to be a Kids First recruiter. Just send us an e-mail at staff@wvkidscountfund.org and we'll send you a supply of these self-addressed, postage-paid sign-up cards.
Kids First 
Campaign Central Message and Answers to Tough Questions
This document answers your questions about the Kids First Communities policy agenda, including our central campaign message; why investing in young children is important; why parents, providers and communities want a childcare quality rating and improvement system; how investing in young children improves the state's economy; and how the state can play a key role in rating and improving the quality of childcare.
The 2007 Data Book details a series of focus groups and surveys KIDS COUNT conducted with parents, childcare providers and community leaders during the summer of 2007. Our research tells the story of how working parents, providers and communities struggle to meet the developmental needs of young children and what they believe state government and local communities can and should do to ensure childcare quality.
Kids First Presentation to Community Leaders 
This PowerPoint presentation lays out a succint, compelling argument to business and community leaders for new public investments in a childcare quality rating and improvement system.
KIDS COUNT Fund Raising Case Statement
In 2009, KIDS COUNT is launching an innovative new project called Business on Board with Childcare! to recognize West Virginia employers who support their employees' childcare needs and advocate for better childcare. This publication makes a strong case for West Virginia business to lend their financial support to Business on Board with Childcare! and to KIDS COUNT's other signature projects: the KIDS COUNT Data Book and the Kids First Communities Campaign.
More Kids First tools coming soon...